Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

barracoon

Noun

/ˌbær.əˈkuːn/

Definition

A barracoon is a type of enclosure used in the transatlantic slave trade to hold enslaved people before their transport.

Examples

The barracoon was situated near the river, making it easier for traders to load the captives onto ships.
Many accounts detail the horrific conditions within the barracoon, highlighting the suffering of those held captive.
Historians have studied the use of barracoons to understand the brutal realities of the slave trade.

Meaning

The term refers specifically to structures where enslaved individuals were kept in confinement, often inhumane and overcrowded, waiting to be shipped to other regions, particularly the Americas.